Green Party needs to be 'more like Ukip', say members at annual conference

GREEN Party members have called for the party to be more like Ukip in order to achieve a political breakthrough.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has a high public profile than Green leader Natalie Bennett [PA]

Ukip are doing something right

Rupert Read

GREEN Party members have called for the party to be more like Ukip in order to achieve a political breakthrough.

At the party's annual conference in Brighton, members spent more than an hour wracking their brains to work out why Ukip leader Nigel Farage has such a strong influence on British politics despite his party—unlike theirs--not having a single MP.

Debate chairman Rupert Read told delegates the Green Party suffered from policy overload, and that it was failing to project its values more.

He said: "Ukip has a very simple proposition, which shows you don't need to have the full detailed policy programme for people to know what you are about.

"Nigel Farage has a very effective way of being photographed with a pint of beer and smiling and talking to people.

"Ukip are doing something right."

Nigel Farage has an 'effective way of being photographed with a pint' claim Green Party members [PA]

Delegates said the Greens were often seen as the "anti" party due to their opposition to policies such as fracking and animal testing.

Members also talked about the popularity of Mr Farage, claiming Ukip was nothing more than a "cult of personality".

One member said: “If he was run over by a bus tomorrow Ukip would be over."

Another claimed: "Ukip is a single issue party - not Europe but xenophobia."

No mention was made during the session at the weekend about a charge levelled at their own leader Natalie Bennett--that she lacks Mr Farage’s charisma.

However, Ms Bennett attacked Mr Farage during her conference speech on Friday, saying: "Just waving a pint and a cigarette and grinning does not a serious political party make."

She also used the speech to attack the involvement of private sector "corporate bloodsuckers" in NHS healthcare provision and promise to campaign against the "aching poverty" reflected in growing use of food banks.

The Greens have one MP, Caroline Lucas, who represents Brighton Pavilion, and they control Brighton and Hove City Council.